[if this was an anime, there would be a record scratch sound effect right about now. it's not, so there isn't, but Ambition stares at him incredulously anyway.]
[Ambition's sudden reaction to the plainclothes truth he's been avoiding saying out loud the whole conversation is... weirdly comforting, somehow. Not for the first time, he's reminded of Anise. The corner of his mouth twitches upwards at her incredulity—a strange bonus to being numb to the inevitability of your own guaranteed demise.]
You're talking to the person who wants that more than anything. I told you—I made a promise. It's just...
[He pauses, attempting to swallow the lump in his throat.]
...No one's going to be happy if I compromise on who I am to get there. Not me, not anyone.
[he sighs, letting himself lean heavily against the door. First Tear, now Ambition... and he still had to protect Ion. Somehow or other, he was going to have to make it through this.]
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I... I can't. I can't.
I want to, but I can't.
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[she doesn't get it]
If it's what you want, just make it happen! It shouldn't be that hard...
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[The future in potential. The possibilities. No matter what, he could...]
But I have to go back. No matter what. Even if there's nothing for me to go back to.
[It's the desperation from before, with a hollow sadness.]
I have to see it through. No matter what.
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[sounds very yikes, to be honest]
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[of this, he seems completely certain.]
I don't know what'll happen after that. But I know I have to give all of who I am for it, or it won't happen at all.
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Can I ask you a question, then?
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Sure.
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He's quiet for a while. It's the first time he's put serious thought into materialising it verbally, so to speak.]
...I want to save Asch. And... I want to be alive.
I want both of us to come back alive.
[For a moment, it looks as though he's going to keep talking—but he hesitates, eyes drifting elsewhere.]
I... was thinking about asking Ion if he wanted to come, too. If I could. But... but if he wins, I feel like I already know what he'd choose.
[He'd never been one to shirk responsibility.]
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[They're bound to this world.]
Unless, like, somehow he stopped being a god anymore. But I don't think that's going to happen.
[...]
What do you think is going to happen if you don't get your wish?
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[For real. The finality of it is... something he doesn't dwell on.
But everything comes to an end.]
Guy... he's from the future—two years after our fight at Eldrant. He... hasn't seen me yet.
[and really, who suddenly shows up after 2 years?]
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What? No! That's not allowed!
[she stomps her foot]
You have to live.
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You're talking to the person who wants that more than anything. I told you—I made a promise. It's just...
[He pauses, attempting to swallow the lump in his throat.]
...No one's going to be happy if I compromise on who I am to get there. Not me, not anyone.
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[she's the worst
she's absolutely playing favorites, but she's the worst]
I'll be a god. The supreme god, I'll be able to do that!
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--and he starts laughing. there's no malice or taunting behind it—just an honest peel of laughter.
wiping an eye, he grins apologetically.]
I'm sorry, I just--[his shoulders shudder, and he barely contains another wave of giggles.]
You're a really good person, Ambition. I'm glad I summoned you. I'm glad we get to talk like this.
Thank you.
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Stop laughing at me when I'm being serious!
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Aack!
[he stumbles, wobbles to his knees, holding his forehead, laughing half in shock, half in helpless amusement.]
I'm s-sorry...!
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...It's a promise.
I'll... I'll make it back home alive.
[he sighs, letting himself lean heavily against the door. First Tear, now Ambition... and he still had to protect Ion. Somehow or other, he was going to have to make it through this.]
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[...]
I'll try to help.
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Thank you, Ambition.
[It's truly heartfelt. Pushing himself off his knees, he approaches her, and holds out his hand again. Time for reintroductions.]
Luke.
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[She takes his hand and shakes it.]
Don't get all emotional about it, okay? It's just that it would suck if you were dead.
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[He huffs a smile, crossing his arms.]
Yeah, well... I feel pretty similar about it!
...The real challenge is going to be making it through the rest of this competition.
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[but he's still smiling.]
Yeah—I've got my friends. Guy, Ion—you, as well—and other people I've met, too! And I know they don't want anyone else to die.
But I can't just count on that... I should try and do something, too.
[...]
...Should I ask you for... like, a boon, or something?
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